What is The Natural Market?
The Natural Market is a company that has bath, body and home essentials for women and men. We aim to sell brotherhood like we sell soap. All of the customers are involved and the brand is alive and “human.” We aim to personalize EACH experience and tailor each product to the customer’s needs. My website is the www.naturalmarketonline.com and I am available to meet personally with customers because accessibility is important to me.
What was your experience in the Build class?
I was very pleased. I could be myself and we were encouraged to talk about real issues. There was no pretending and it was raw. I like that the facilitators can identify with the students because they are business owners themselves. At first I thought Build was just for people who were starting businesses, and not for the businesses that were already in motion, like mine. I liked the networking with other business owners and I had no idea there were so many opportunities after we graduate.
“I liked the networking with other business owners and I had no idea there were so many opportunities after we graduate.
What are your recent developments?
I just got the Kiva Zip loan, which allowed me to increase my volume in production! I now have customers from all over the world, in fact, I just got an order from Maria Shriver! This gave me a lot of exposure. Through the Kiva Zip campaign, I was contacted by A Woman’s Nation, a company aimed at diversity and equal opportunities for women. I took its 21st Century Boss Pledge that made me commit to being a social enterprise and uplift and support women. I was also selected as a candidate in Build Institute’s Ready. Set. Build. Showcase.
What is your long-term vision?
I want to make The Natural Market an actual market so everyone has access to natural products in impoverished communities. This is important so I can educate them on a healthy lifestyle.